title: Effects of methylphenidate on resting-state functional connectivity of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathways in cocaine addiction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cocaine addiction is associated with altered resting-state functional connectivity among regions of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathways. Methylphenidate hydrochloride, an indirect dopamine agonist, normalizes task-related regional brain activity and associated behavior in cocaine users; however, the neural systems-level effects of methylphenidate in this population have not yet been described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine changes in mesocorticolimbic connectivity with methylphenidate and how connectivity of affected pathways relates to severity of cocaine addiction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, placebo-controlled, before-after, crossover study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen nonabstaining individuals with cocaine use disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single doses of oral methylphenidate (20 mg) or placebo were administered at each of 2 study sessions. At each session, resting scans were acquired twice: immediately after drug administration (before the onset of effects [baseline]) and 120 minutes later (within the window of peak effects).
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional connectivity strength was evaluated using a seed voxel correlation approach. Changes in this measure were examined to characterize the neural systems-level effects of methylphenidate; severity of cocaine addiction was assessed by interview and questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Short-term methylphenidate administration reduced an abnormally strong connectivity of the ventral striatum with the dorsal striatum (putamen/globus pallidus), and lower connectivity between these regions during placebo administration uniquely correlated with less severe addiction. In contrast, methylphenidate strengthened several corticolimbic and corticocortical connections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings help elucidate the neural systems-level effects of methylphenidate and suggest that short-term methylphenidate can, at least transiently, remodel abnormal circuitry relevant to the pathophysiologic characteristics of cocaine addiction. In particular, the effects of methylphenidate within striatal and cortical pathways constitute a potentially viable mechanism by which methylphenidate could facilitate control of behavior in cocaine addiction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Anna B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Konova
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Dardo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tomasi
authors.forename: Nora D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Volkow
authors.forename: Rita Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063132:Connectome / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate; D004298:Dopamine